Chapter 193: First Direct Clash

Nagato's transformation caused a visible change in everyone's expressions below. Even Konan's eyes grew worried.

Though she had anticipated this moment, she still couldn't help but feel anxious.

"You really think that body of yours can take me on?"

Ryo suddenly spoke, addressing Nagato in the sky.

Nagato was undeniably a rare prodigy—described as someone who mastered all major types of ninjutsu by age ten, capable of using all six chakra nature transformations. But all of that required a healthy body. In his current state, it was hard to believe he could even dodge attacks, let alone unleash multiple jutsu.

"Heh…"

Nagato chuckled. "I know this body can't match you in direct combat… but that doesn't mean I'll lose."

With that, he bit his thumb and began forming hand seals.

"Nagato—"

Konan instinctively tried to stop him, but ultimately held back, simply watching him with deep concern.

Below, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the others tensed up, preparing to defend.

Even Ryo frowned, his gaze darkening slightly.

"Summoning Jutsu: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"

With a loud poof, a massive figure appeared in the sky—the empty husk of the Ten Tails—and then came crashing down to the earth with a thunderous boom.

Everyone's eyes sharpened.

Though the statue wore a mask and remained motionless, the ominous aura it gave off was overwhelming.

"Boss, let me show you the power of the Sage's Eye."

Nagato slowly descended onto the statue's head, his killing intent radiating as he glared at Ryo.

From atop the statue, several black orbs—Truth-Seeking Balls—emerged and stretched like vines, connecting directly to the rods embedded in Nagato's back.

"Aaaargh—!"

Nagato let out a painful scream as his chakra surged wildly into the statue.

Thankfully, his reserves were still sufficient, and his life force wasn't drained in the process.

Konan let out a silent sigh of relief.

But for the others—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and the Akatsuki members—it was deeply shocking.

As Nagato's chakra flowed, the statue began to stir.

A suffocating wave of danger rolled outward, gripping everyone in instinctive fear. Even seasoned Kage-level shinobi found themselves trembling.

Even Tsunade and Jiraiya couldn't suppress their fear entirely. It was primal.

"Sigh—"

Ryo exhaled quietly. "What a pain…"

He shook his head, then turned to Dragonite. "Dragonite, it's your turn again. But this time, follow my commands closely."

"Rawrr—"

Dragonite nodded, flapping its small wings as it flew to face the statue, its gaze filled with wariness.

From this beast, it sensed a power far beyond its own—a first since arriving in this world.

"ROOOAAAR—!"

Suddenly, the Demonic Statue opened its mouth and unleashed a mighty roar. Thick tendrils burst from its body and whipped straight toward Dragonite.

"Dragonite, evade!"

Ryo's expression shifted with surprise. He knew the statue could use Wood Style techniques before, but that had only been the Piercing Technique. This… was something else.

Dragonite dodged swiftly as the massive tendrils slammed into the ground, splitting it apart with thunderous cracks.

Seeing this, Tsunade immediately turned and shouted to the surrounding ninja, "Retreat! Get back! This isn't a battle you can take part in!"

She then turned back to the statue in shock. She hadn't expected to see Wood Style coming from such a monster.

And it wasn't weak either. What she just saw… that was Wood Style on par with Hashirama's.

"Dragonite, use Extreme Speed—go for Nagato's head!"

Ryo's command came again.

In an instant, Dragonite became a blur of light, flashing onto the statue's head and striking at Nagato.

Konan's pupils shrank. She immediately flapped her wings, rushing toward Nagato.

Nagato, however, responded in time. One of the Truth-Seeking Balls shifted, transforming into a circular black shield that blocked Dragonite's strike.

Boom!

The impact was deafening, but despite Dragonite's overwhelming strength, the shield held. Nagato wasn't hurt—not even the orb shield was damaged.

"Dragonite, back off!"

Ryo shouted again. Dragonite obeyed, pulling away just as a thick vine whipped through the air where it had just been, striking with such force that it cracked the air itself.

"RAHHH!"

Nagato suddenly let out an enraged roar.

More tendrils erupted from the statue's body—dozens of them—lunging wildly at Dragonite.

Ryo frowned. "High-speed evasion!"

Dragonite accelerated again, dodging the incoming barrage of tendrils with dazzling agility.

"Now—use Dragon Dance."

Ryo followed up.

Dragonite leapt into the air, spinning in a mysterious rhythm, executing the powerful technique.

On the sidelines, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Itachi didn't react much. But Nagato and Konan froze, visibly puzzled.

Mid-fight… it suddenly started dancing?

Still, their expressions shifted again. As the dance finished, they could feel it—Dragonite had grown even stronger.

Alarmed, Nagato immediately launched more tendrils toward it.

Dragonite was already Super-Kage level, and now it was even stronger—letting it continue would be a mistake.

The vines surged forward again.

"Dragonite—Hurricane!"

Ryo issued the next command.

Dragonite raised its arms and summoned a massive gale. The windstorm crashed forward, sweeping the incoming vines into its current.

In seconds, every vine trying to strike Dragonite was torn to shreds, scattered across the battlefield.

>>>>><<<<<>>>>><<<<<

follow my patreon.com/Yueru1 for 35+ advanced chapters